Homer, Alaska, voters overturn plastic bag ban

“Paper or plastics?” might become a common question again at retail stores in Homer, Alaska, as voters have likely overturned the city’s plastic bag ban.

Along with normal city elections, voters cast their vote in a ballot measure aimed at repealing Homer’s plastic bag ban Oct. 1.

Voters were being asked if they wanted to overturn the ordinance which passed in 2012, and that took effect Jan. 1.

According to unofficial election results posted on the city’s website, the measure to repeal the law is leading 54 percent to 44 percent, or a total of 116 votes. However, according to the city, absentee ballots along with question ballots still need to be counted. In total, there are 207 outstanding ballots, meaning an overwhelming majority of the absentee ballots need to against the measure for it fail.

A total of 24 percent of the city’s 4,337 registered voters went to the polls on Oct. 1. The final vote total is expected on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. Eastern.